Important Information
Staff Update: 2/9/23
Dates to Know:
- Staff Development: 2/17/23
- Schools and Offices Closed: 2/20/23
- Equity Speaker Series: 2/22/23
St. Georges Bridge Construction – Coming soon!
Please be advised that your commute to work will be disrupted if you travel on the St. Georges Bridge. On Tuesday, April 4th, the bridge is scheduled for closure so deck replacement and other miscellaneous repairs can be made. Effective Monday, March 6th, bicycle lanes on the bridge will be closed and flaggers will be in place on weekdays until the bridge closes in April. This extensive repair project is scheduled to last 18 months.
Colonial Website Outage
The Colonial School District website will be unavailable for an undetermined period of time on Friday February 17th due to software updates. We will communicate via email to staff once it becomes available. Please use the following doc if you need access to important links until the website is brought back online: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aefpaOcwAg_fUTHs0kIlR6aeoeVGbbZOxgDyjknp9fQ/edit?usp=sharing
WE Recruit!
WE have GREAT news! For the 4th year in a row, Colonial has applied for and received the Yearlong Teacher Residency Grant from the Delaware Department of Education. This highly competitive grant allows undergraduate education majors (who are not paraeducators) to enter into a teaching residency during the last year of their program and receive a $25,000 stipend. WE are looking forward to hosting up to 6 grant residents from Del Tech, WilmU, and DSU for the 23-24 school year!
WE Recruit- Part 2!
Are YOU a paraeducator in Colonial who is thinking about becoming a teacher and missed the Relay and WilmU Mixers? If the answer is YES, don’t fret WE have information for YOU!
- WilmU has a number of programs and options to choose from. To speak directly to a staff member from the university click here.
If you already have an undergraduate degree, then the Relay residency is an option as well. Click here to view the slide deck and access the recording of the mixer which highlights the program. To discuss options and learn more about the program email Kim Karacalidis – kkaracalidis@relay.edu.
WE change the Odds – Speaker Series
Join us for an intimate conversation that will contribute to our strategic plan and equity work.
- Keynote Speaker: Bebe Coker
- Topic: Redlining in the state of Delaware
- Date/Time: February 22, 2023, at 6:00-7:30 pm at WPHS
- Open to the public • Food will be served
Staff should register in DSC#108190 and RSVP at http://www.colonialschooldistrict.org/blog/we-change-the-odds-spring-2023-speaker-series/
Note: This event will be preceded by 2 events as part a fun-filled afternoon of learning:
- 4:30-5:30 pm- A PD Event for Staff: Ignite & Invite to celebrate AfricanAmeric authors. Staff can register in DSC#108448
- 5:30-6:00 pm – “Author Book Signing” from one our own in Colonial Nation, Dr. Alisa Cook and her book, Same Roots Same Crown Different Shades of Brown. There will be copies of this book available for our young ones and they can get them signed by Dr. Cook!
Equity ERA: Engage-Reflect-Act
- Engage: If you have hulu, check out the 1619 Project documentary series. “Hulu’s six-part 1619 Docuseries is an expansion of “The 1619 Project” created by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and the New York Times Magazine. The series seeks to reframe the country’s history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the very center of our national narrative.”
- Reflect: What resonates with you from this series? How does it impact your perspective on black history?
- Act: Check out the 1619 Project website in the Equity ERA doc.
Nominate our next Teacher of the Year!
Do you know a classroom teacher who is dedicated, inspiring, and making a difference? WE need your help! Nominate someone to be our 2024 Teacher of the Year today!
Nominate by February 21 at https://bit.ly/csdtoy24
W2s
W2s are now available in Employee Self Service!
For assistance accessing your W2: http://www.colonialschooldistrict.org/employees/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/01/Accessing-your-W2.pdf
For assistance reading your W2: http://www.colonialschooldistrict.org/employees/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/01/Understanding-your-W2.pdf
Both are located on the District’s Employees Pay website along with other helpful information and commonly used forms.
http://www.colonialschooldistrict.org/employees/your-employment/pay/
MERU HEALTH – Online Mental Care
Employees who are enrolled in one of the State of Delaware healthcare plans now have access, at no cost, to Meru Health, an online mental healthcare provider that takes a holistic approach, combining behavioral science, technology, and human support to meet your mental health needs. Meru Health is a 12-week, app-based therapy program proven to help participants learn how to effectively reduce anxiety, depression, and burnout, all through the convenience of your smartphone.
Members (employees who are enrolled in one of the State of Delaware’s healthcare plans) are able to participate in the program through a self-referral or a provider referral. Once enrolled, participants will take a self-assessment on the Meru Health app and schedule a video call with one of Meru Health’s therapists to develop a personalized treatment plan based on their unique needs and goals. The 12-week program has a different theme each week, and as participants progress from week-to-week, new activities are unlocked, such as educational videos, tools, and practices to help throughout the journey. Meru Health also supplies each member a wearable device to help with biofeedback practices, such as breathing exercises. Participants have access to their assigned therapist as well as a peer support group with individuals on the same journey throughout their 12-week program.
If you are interested, visit the Meru Health webpage, click “sign up,” and enter “State of Delaware” to get started.
Annual Pension Statement
Per the State of Delaware Pension Office, the 2022 Comprehensive Annual Statement (Pension Statement) should be accessible online on February 21, 2023 by using the Pension Self-Service Tile. To learn how to access the Pension Statement, please review this newsletter – https://www.smore.com/jyk10-online-annual-pension-statement As you may recall, the Pension Statement has useful information such as:
- Pension Service Time
- Highest three years of creditable compensation
- Pension Calculation (for vested employees)
- Beneficiary Information
This statement should be reviewed every year. If you need help understanding or interpreting your Pension Statement, please attend one of the “What is this Pension Stuff?” Zoom Workshop on March 1 at:
- 3:00 pm – please sign up on DSC using workshop #107734
- 3:30 pm – please sign up on DSC using workshop #107735
- 4:00 pm – please sign up on DSC using workshop #107736
- 4:30 pm – please sign up on DSC using workshop #107737
Sign up for Voya – your 403b/457b Investment Plans
Voya is another method to save for your retirement. Remember, Voya is an investment plan similar to the 401k. Later in life, it will help to supplement social security and applicable pension payments. Please watch this two-minute video to learn more about Voya.
https://voyadelivers.com/delawaredefer/
Please note the HR/Benefits staff cannot enroll you in this plan. You have three options to enroll:
- Online – please see enrollment flyer https://drive.google.com/file/d/12D7S8Wb6p5gw7KP0LXM1TBLYdmxRENer/view?usp=sharing
- In-person: To schedule a meeting with a financial advisor https://go.oncehub.com/Voya_DelawareDeferComp_1on1MtgRequest
- Phone – 302-318-8840
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